Introduction
If you’ve ever craved the taste of traditional British bread, the stottie cake is a must-try. Originating from North East England, this soft and hearty flatbread has been a staple for generations, cherished for its simplicity and versatility. Whether served with hearty soups, made into a sandwich, or enjoyed on its own with butter, the stottie cake’s charm lies in its rustic texture and rich flavor.
Making stottie cake from scratch might seem daunting, but with the help of a bread machine, the process becomes straightforward. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through a foolproof recipe for creating the perfect stottie cake right in your kitchen. From preparing the dough to baking it to perfection, this guide ensures you’ll get delicious results every time. So, grab your bread machine, and let’s get started on this delightful baking journey!
What is a Stottie Cake?
Origin of Stottie Cake
The stottie cake, also known as “stotty,” is a traditional bread that hails from North East England, specifically regions like Newcastle and Sunderland. Its name is thought to come from the local Geordie dialect, where “stot” means “to bounce.” This unique name likely refers to the way the dough is traditionally “stotted” or bounced off the oven floor to create its characteristic flat shape.
Historically, the stottie cake was a practical solution for bakers. In coal-fired ovens, bakers would test the temperature by tossing a piece of dough onto the oven floor. Instead of discarding it, they flattened the dough and baked it, creating what we now know as the stottie cake. This no-waste approach resonated with the working-class communities, making it a popular and affordable staple.
The stottie cake’s defining feature is its dense yet soft texture, which makes it perfect for holding hearty fillings. It became a favorite for sandwiches, especially when paired with ingredients like pease pudding, bacon, or ham. Its popularity grew as it became synonymous with the region’s culture, often enjoyed as part of a traditional British meal.
Despite its humble origins, the stottie cake has gained recognition beyond its roots, and it is appreciated for its simplicity and versatility. Today, it is celebrated not just as a nostalgic reminder of North East England’s heritage but also as a delicious bread that pairs beautifully with modern cuisines. Whether baked the traditional way or with the convenience of a bread machine, the stottie cake remains a beloved classic that tells the story of resourcefulness and culinary tradition.
Traditional Ingredients
The stottie cake is a testament to the beauty of simplicity. It relies on just a handful of basic ingredients to achieve its distinctive flavor and texture. Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating this traditional bread, which has been a beloved staple in North East England for generations.
1. Flour
The primary ingredient in stottie cake is plain white flour or strong bread flour. This type of flour provides the necessary gluten content for the dough, giving the bread its chewy texture and ability to hold its shape. In more traditional times, locally milled flour was often used, reflecting the regional authenticity of this bread.
2. Yeast
Yeast is the magic behind the stottie cake’s rise. It ferments the dough, producing carbon dioxide that creates lightness despite the bread’s dense appearance. Traditional bakers might have used fresh yeast, but modern recipes often call for dried or instant yeast, which is more convenient and readily available.
3. Water
Water is the essential liquid ingredient that binds the dough together. For stottie cake, lukewarm water is typically used to activate the yeast and create a pliable dough that’s easy to knead. The simplicity of using just water (without milk or other enrichments) is part of what makes stottie cake distinct from other breads.
4. Salt
Salt enhances the flavor of the stottie cake while also playing a practical role in controlling the yeast activity during fermentation. A pinch of salt balances the bread’s taste and ensures a flavorful end product.
5. Optional Additions
While traditional stottie cake recipes stick to the basics, modern variations sometimes incorporate small additions. For example, a drizzle of oil or butter might be added to the dough for a softer crumb, but purists often prefer the classic recipe with no frills.
The simplicity of these ingredients reflects the origins of stottie cake as an affordable and accessible bread for working-class communities. Today, whether made by hand or with a bread machine, the same core ingredients ensure that stottie cake retains its traditional charm while continuing to delight modern palates.
Why Use a Bread Machine?
The stottie cake is a simple yet iconic bread with a rustic charm that speaks to its traditional roots. While baking it by hand is rewarding, using a bread machine offers several advantages that make the process more convenient without compromising on quality. Here’s why a bread machine is an excellent choice for making stottie cake:
1. Effortless Dough Preparation
One of the most time-consuming aspects of bread-making is kneading the dough to develop the gluten structure. A bread machine automates this process, saving you time and energy. It mixes and kneads the dough uniformly, ensuring consistency, which is crucial for achieving the stottie cake’s characteristic texture.
With a bread machine, you add the ingredients in the correct order, press a few buttons, and let the machine do the heavy lifting. This is particularly beneficial for beginners who may be unfamiliar with the nuances of dough preparation.
2. Consistent Results Every Time
Traditional bread-making can be unpredictable due to variables like room temperature, humidity, and the baker’s technique. A bread machine eliminates much of this guesswork by providing a controlled environment for dough rising. This ensures consistent results, especially for a dense yet soft bread like stottie cake, where precision in dough preparation is key.
The machine’s pre-set programs are specifically designed to handle different types of dough, including the simple mix needed for stottie cake. By following a reliable recipe and letting the bread machine handle the technical aspects, you can effortlessly achieve bakery-quality results.
3. Saves Time and Effort
Life can be busy, and not everyone has the time to knead, proof, and monitor dough by hand. A bread machine streamlines the process, allowing you to focus on other tasks while the dough is being prepared. Many models even have a timer feature, enabling you to set it up in advance and have the dough ready exactly when you need it.
4. Ideal for Beginners and Experts Alike
Whether you’re a novice baker or an experienced one, a bread machine can be a valuable tool. Beginners can avoid intimidation by using manual techniques. At the same time, seasoned bakers can use it as a time-saving device for preparing dough to their exact specifications.
5. Perfect for Consistency in Traditional Recipes
While stottie cake has a rustic appearance, achieving its traditional dense yet soft texture requires careful handling of the dough. A bread machine takes the guesswork out of this process, allowing you to replicate the recipe with precision every time. The result is a perfectly soft and chewy bread that stays true to its heritage.
Incorporating a bread machine into your stottie cake recipe doesn’t detract from its authenticity—it enhances it by making the process more accessible to everyone. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or as part of your weekly routine, a bread machine ensures that you can enjoy the timeless charm of stottie cake with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Stottie Cake in a Bread Machine
Preparing the Dough
The first step in making a perfect stottie cake with a bread machine is preparing the dough. This process may seem straightforward, but each step plays a critical role in achieving the signature soft and chewy texture of this traditional bread. Here’s how to prepare the dough with ease and precision:
1. Gather Your Ingredients
To start, ensure you have all the necessary ingredients ready. For a traditional stottie cake, you’ll need:
- Flour: Use plain white flour or strong bread flour for the best texture.
- Yeast: Either active dry yeast or instant yeast works well in a bread machine.
- Water: Lukewarm water helps activate the yeast.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavor and balances the bread.
- Optional: You can add a small amount of oil or butter for a softer crumb, though traditional recipes don’t include these.
Having your ingredients measured and ready to go will streamline the process and ensure accuracy.
2. Add Ingredients in the Correct Order
When using a bread machine, the order in which you add ingredients is crucial. Most machines recommend adding liquids first, followed by dry ingredients, with the yeast added last. This layering prevents the yeast from activating too early, ensuring the dough rises properly. Here’s the typical order:
- Add lukewarm water to the bread machine pan.
- Add the flour, covering the water completely.
- Sprinkle the salt on one side of the pan.
- Add the yeast on the opposite side, keeping it separate from the salt.
Following this order helps the bread machine mix and knead the dough effectively, setting you up for success.
3. Select the Dough Setting
Most bread machines have a “Dough” setting designed specifically for preparing bread dough. This Setting mixes and kneads the dough and allows it to rise without baking it.
- Select the dough setting and press start.
- The machine will take care of the mixing and kneading, creating a uniform dough with minimal effort.
This step usually takes about 90 minutes, depending on your machine. During this time, the dough rises and develops its gluten structure, which is crucial for the stottie cake’s texture.
4. Check the Dough Consistency
About 5–10 minutes into the kneading cycle, open the bread machine lid to check the dough’s consistency. The dough should form a smooth, slightly tacky ball. If it appears too dry or crumbly, add a teaspoon of water at a time until it comes together. If it’s too sticky, add a teaspoon of flour.
This minor adjustment ensures your dough is perfect for shaping and baking later.
5. Let the Dough Rise
After the machine completes the dough cycle, let the dough rest in the pan for a few minutes to relax the gluten. This step makes it easier to shape the dough into the flat, round form characteristic of stottie cake.
Using a bread machine simplifies the dough preparation process, allowing you to focus on the next steps of shaping and baking. With consistent results every time, preparing stottie cake dough becomes an enjoyable and stress-free experience!
Shaping and Baking the Stottie Cake
Once your dough is prepared, the following steps involve shaping and baking it to achieve the stottie cake’s signature look and texture. This stage is crucial for creating the flat, dense, and chewy bread that makes stottie cake unique. Here’s a detailed guide to shaping and baking your stottie cake:
1. Preparing the Work Surface
Start by lightly flouring a clean work surface. This prevents the dough from sticking while you shape it. Avoid over-flouring, as too much flour can make the dough tough and alter the final texture of the bread.
2. Dividing and Shaping the Dough
- Dividing the Dough (Optional): If you want to make multiple miniature stottie cakes, divide the dough into equal portions using a bench scraper or sharp knife. For a classic stottie, use the entire dough to make one large round bread.
- Shaping: Gently press and flatten the dough into a round disk, about 1–1.5 inches thick. The dough should be even to ensure uniform baking. Avoid overworking the dough, as this can deflate it and result in a dense texture.
- Use your hands or a rolling pin to achieve the desired thickness while maintaining the bread’s rustic look.
3. Creating the Signature Indentation
One of the defining features of a stottie cake is the indentation in the center. Using your thumb, knuckle, or the back of a spoon, press a shallow dimple into the center of the dough.
- This indentation is not just decorative; it helps control how the bread rises in the oven, maintaining its flat and dense structure.
4. Preparing for Baking
- Transfer to a Baking Tray: Place the shaped dough onto a lightly floured baking sheet or a piece of parchment paper.
- Optional Resting Time: Allow the dough to rest for 10–15 minutes. This relaxes the gluten, preventing the bread from shrinking during baking.
5. Baking the Stottie Cake
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). For a more authentic result, if you have a pizza stone or baking steel, place it in the oven during preheating to simulate the effect of a traditional oven floor.
- Bake the Bread: Place the baking tray in the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the stottie cake is lightly golden and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Keep an eye on the baking time, as stottie cakes are not meant to have a hard crust; the goal is soft and chewy bread.
6. Cooling the Bread
Once baked, transfer the stottie cake to a wire rack to cool. Allow it to cool completely before slicing or serving. Cutting the bread while it’s hot can affect its texture, so patience is key.
7. Serving Suggestions
Stottie cake is a versatile bread that pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes.
- Use it to make hearty sandwiches filled with traditional options like pease pudding and ham.
- Serve it alongside soups and stews as a comforting accompaniment.
- Toast it and enjoy it with butter, jam, or honey for a simple treat.
By shaping and baking the stottie cake with care, you’ll achieve the perfect texture and flavor that this traditional bread is known for. Whether you enjoy it fresh out of the oven or as part of a meal, your homemade stottie cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Serving Suggestions
Stottie cake is a wonderfully versatile bread that shines in both traditional and modern culinary contexts. Its soft, dense texture and neutral flavor make it the perfect canvas for a wide variety of dishes, from classic British favorites to creative contemporary meals. Here are some delicious ways to serve stottie cake:
1. Classic Sandwiches
Stottie cake’s thick and chewy consistency makes it an excellent choice for hearty sandwiches. Cut it into generous slices or split it in half to create a filling, satisfying base. Some classic sandwich ideas include:
- Pease Pudding and Ham: A traditional North East England combination. The creamy, savory pease pudding pairs beautifully with the salty richness of ham.
- Bacon Sandwiches: Layer crispy bacon and your favorite condiments for a quintessential British breakfast or lunch.
- Sausage or Egg Sandwiches: Perfect for a quick and filling breakfast, especially when paired with a dollop of ketchup or brown sauce.
2. Accompaniment to Soups and Stews
Stottie cake is a natural partner for hearty soups and stews. Its dense texture is ideal for soaking up broths and gravies, making it a comforting addition to any meal. Popular pairings include:
- Lentil Soup: The mild flavor of stottie cake complements the earthy, hearty taste of lentils.
- Beef Stew: Use it to mop up the rich, savory gravy of a slow-cooked stew.
- Vegetable Broth: A lighter option that balances the bread’s substantial texture.
3. Toasted with Toppings
Toasting stottie cake brings out its subtle flavors while adding a delightful crunch to its edges. Try these topping ideas for a simple yet satisfying snack:
- Butter and Jam: A timeless favorite for breakfast or tea time.
- Honey or Golden Syrup: A drizzle of sweetness transforms the bread into a comforting treat.
- Cheese and Tomato: Add a slice of cheddar and a few tomato slices for a quick and delicious open-faced sandwich.
4. Creative Modern Uses
While stottie cake has its roots in tradition, it also adapts beautifully to modern recipes. Some innovative serving ideas include:
- Flatbread Pizza: Use stottie cake as a base, top it with marinara sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings, then bake until bubbly.
- Sliders or Mini Burgers: Cut stottie cake into smaller portions and use it as buns for gourmet sliders.
- Avocado Toast: Spread ripe avocado on toasted stottie cake and garnish with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon.
5. Party and Sharing Platters
Stottie cake’s substantial size makes it perfect for sharing. Incorporate it into party platters or charcuterie boards as a unique bread option. Suggestions include:
- With Dips: Serve stottie cake wedges alongside hummus, spinach-artichoke dip, or tzatziki.
- Cheese and Meat Boards: Pair it with a selection of cured meats, cheeses, and pickles for an impressive spread.
- Tear-and-Share: Bake stottie cake into smaller portions and serve warm for guests to pull apart and enjoy.
6. Sweet Treat Ideas
Though stottie cake is traditionally savory, it can also work as a sweet indulgence:
- Bread Pudding: Use leftover stottie cake to make a rich and custardy bread pudding.
- Nutella Spread: Toast the bread and spread Nutella for a quick dessert.
- Fresh Fruit and Cream: Top slices with whipped cream and fresh berries for an elegant dessert option.
With its versatility and rustic charm, stottie cake is an excellent addition to any meal. Whether you stick to classic pairings or experiment with new ideas, this traditional bread is sure to be a crowd-pleaser that satisfies every palate.
Conclusion
Making stottie cake at home has never been easier, thanks to the convenience of a bread machine. This method simplifies the process, from kneading the dough to creating the perfect texture, allowing you to focus on enjoying this beloved bread without the hassle. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can recreate the traditional charm of stottie cake right in your kitchen.
Now it’s your turn! Try this recipe and experience the delight of baking a piece of North East England’s culinary heritage. Whether you pair it with classic fillings, hearty soups, or creative toppings, stottie cake is sure to become a favorite in your home.
We’d love to hear from you—let us know how your homemade stottie cake turned out! Did you try a unique variation or stick to the traditional recipe? Please share your experience and photos in the comments below or tag us on social media. Happy baking!